Taking care of a new kitten is an incredible experience, but it also comes with a significant amount of obligation and calls for a professional understanding of newborn kitten care.

The first four months of a kitten’s existence are termed the “newborn” period, during which she can be weaned from her mother and learn basic abilities like eating and using the litter box. Whether you are the sole caretaker for a litter of newborn kittens or assisting a cat mom, it’s necessary to have the ideal supplies.

How to Take Care of a Kitten

Adorable and cuddly as they are, kittens have special requirements that should be met to prosper as home pets. These requirements change at different points in their lives, and failure to meet them might have severe repercussions for their health and lifespan. Here are some guidelines on how to take care of your new cat when they are young.

Food and Nutrition

You will need to use a special formula to feed the kittens through a bottle if their mother is not around to breastfeed them. Consult your veterinarian if you need help choosing which food is best for your pet. Always guarantee kittens are propped up on her side or upright while you feed them. Once your kittens are fully weaned, they need special kitten food to help them mature with healthy bones, eyes, and muscles. You might likely contact several veterinary health practitioners, like vets in Wisconsin Dells, to seek suggestions on this matter. 

Grooming

The sooner you begin regular cat maintenance, like brushing their fur and clipping their nails when they are newborn kittens, the easier it will be for the owner. Nail cutting lowers the threat of a claw snag, and regular brushing or combing eliminates superfluous hair, preventing hairballs and keeping her coat clean and lustrous.

Wellness Checkup

Experts advise bringing newborn kittens in for their first examination at the veterinary diagnostic laboratory after birth, preferably within the first week or two. Vets suggest keeping an eye on a kitten’s weight and noting any problems in motor abilities, coordination, gastrointestinal issues, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you have any worries about your newborn’s health, or prevalent conditions like upper respiratory infections, distemper, ear mites, and intestinal tract parasites, do not wait to visit with your veterinarian.

Vaccination

Kitten vaccines are vital to ensure your new pet’s health, and numerous veterinary health centers administer immunizations per AAFP suggestions. During these three consultations, with a gap of 3-4 weeks, your kitten will receive booster shots against diseases like FVRCP, FeLV, and Rabies. It is up to your veterinarian to choose the best vaccination regimen for your new kitten based on factors including the kitten’s age and history of receiving vaccinations.

Dental Care

Although sharing lots of dogs’ dental issues, feline dental care is often the least prioritized and undertreated. The upper and lower jaws have tiny tooth buds where permanent teeth will eventually form. Things get more complex as the roots of the primary teeth end up being affected by the establishing adult teeth. Around the 11th or 12th week of life, most cat babies experience teething. Kittens can be fussy, have trouble feeding, and slobber during this time. You may consider visiting this website, https://www.dellsanimalhospital.net/site/veterinary-services-wisconsin-dells/surgery, which can help you discover important inputs about newborn kitten dental care. 

In Retrospect

The care and handling of a newborn kitten are similar to that of a human infant. Do not forget that you must be on call 24/7 and that feedings may keep you up all night. Indeed, if you want to take care of a kitten, you need to be committed to the job.